Apparently the yellow fever vaccine as such came into use in about 1995 – before that, there was gamma globulin. I take it giving gg AND the vaccine within a close time frame was thought to diminish the efficacy of the vaccine, but recent studies seem to disprove that. My doctor has a theory that giving the two together reduces, or even eliminates, the risk of becoming ill from the vaccine, which can occur, although rarely – principally in older people. Thoughts?
Jess

Jess,
This is question has a rather complcated and multifacted answer, but I'll give it a try. Your doctor partially correct about being able to give the immune globulin along with the vaccine without diminishing the effectiveness of the vaccine. However, I no of no studies suggesting that giving both immune globulin and the vaccine together reduces the potential danger to older patients. Generally, the Yellow Fever Vaccine is considered pretty safe; adverse events are fewer than 1 out of 100,000 for adults younger than 60 years of age. Older people run a somewhat higher risk, 4 adverse reactions per 100,000 for those over 60 and 7 per 100,000 for those over 70 years of age. But keep that in perspective, even for those over 70 the possibility of an adverse reaction is less than .007%. That's pretty darn small. Even then unless one has a medical condition that may interfer with the bodies own immune response (eg. thymus, HIV etc) or a known exposure to Yellow Fever, I would not suggest simultaneous treatment with immune globulin and the vaccine. I have been somewhat dismayed at the caviler attitude some forum regulars express about taking this vaccine without real justification.
The CDC (an American agency) maintains a website that lists those countries for with the Yellow fever Vaccine is required. Unless traveling to one of those listed countries it is simply not prudent to take the vaccine. Because I have frequently visited Yellow fever countries, I have been vaccinated and carry my certificate along with my passport. In all of my travels to East Arica (Tanzania and Kenya), South Africa (Botswana, Zambia, South Africa), and to Egypt, I have never been asked for my Yellow fever Certificate. Even though my passport clearly shows that I have traveled extensively throughout South America where Yellow Fever is quite common. So if you are planning to travel to Yellow Fever Zone, get the vaccination (forget the immune globulin) unless your doctor can give you some proof of his theory. Just my opinion of course and as my lawyer friends like to say, "free advice is worth what you pay for it".

I agree with Andy Biggs, this website/Forum is arcahic. It would be nice if they at least gave us the ability to edit our posts for spelling and typos. Come on Fodor's invest a couple of bucks in bringing your website up to date.
Chuck

Ahmen!!!!

I can't comment specifically... leave it to "chuck".

But, for your upcoming trip, you do not require the YF inoc for travel to Kenya or Tanzania if arriving from a Western country. And, unless you will immediately be transiting thru a country that requires YF if having been to these East African countries (i.e., South Africa)... no need to be jabbed.

doh! Looks like I have a reputation for being a trouble maker. Since you mentioned it Chuck, perhaps I should throw a little more oil on the fire by agreeing with you. In the same breath, I can also make positive recommendations for additional reading:



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compari...forum_software

Andy,
If Fodor's is going to get all of this advice from you, the least they can do is use one of your images to represent their Africa forum (hint)
Regards-Chuck

gulp! [blushing]